Nwabali speaks after man-of-the-match show in AFCON semi-final
Stanley Nwabali has reacted to being named as man-of-the-match in the Super Eagles victory over South Africa in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Chippa United goalkeeper played another crucial role yet again as the three-time African champions saw off another rival to continue their quest to win AFCON for the first time since 2013.
He made a brilliant save to deny South Africa from taking the lead in the first half and would go on to be the hero in the penalty shootout, saving Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa’s spot kicks.
Therefore, it was unsurprising that the 27-year-old was handed the man-of-the-match award for his heroics in the game.
Speaking in the post-match conference, Nwabali expressed his elighted at winning the best player of the encounter.
“Today, I don’t really know how I am feeling but it has been God throughout this tournament,” Nwabali told reporters.
“I really appreciate the management and the coaches today, they have really guided me a lot throughout this tournament.”
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“I feel so happy and I really appreciate my teammate.”
While South Africa prevented him from keeping a consecutive fifth clean sheet, he is still yet to concede a goal from open play since Equatorial Guinea forward Iván Salvador’s strike beat him in the opening game.
The Super Eagles shot-stopper also spoke about the criticism of him not being adequately tested enough in the tournament and as a result, his South Africa counterpart Ronwen Williams should win the Best Goalkeeper award.
“There is no room to talk about criticism because it happens in football.
“When football go like this, your fans really want more from you. They said these kind of things, I didn’t see it as anything. I just see it like a motivation to me to keep working.”